The historical record is full of surprises – and it could encourage conservationists to think more creatively.
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
Articles on Biodiversity loss
Displaying 81 - 100 of 112 articles
Philanthropy in the form of financial donations is not a solution to the natural disasters caused by climate change. A new philanthropy of social change is needed.
For decades, the extinction of passenger pigeons has been explained by two theories of human impact. New research shows one of these theories is now more compelling than the other.
For decades Australian scientists have, clearly and respectfully, warned about the risks to Australia of a rapidly heating climate. After this season’s fires, perhaps it’s time to listen.
2019 was a big year for dire warnings about the state of the planet, but crises can spur solutions.
New research has revealed 100 plant and animal species have become extinct in the past two centuries – a far higher number than previously thought.
Indigenous people used small fires skilfully to prevent larger bushfires. In this time of crisis, we must learn from them.
The Earth has experienced five periods of mass extinction. Scientists can’t quite be certain yet, but they’re fairly sure we’re now well into the sixth.
Discussions about climate change often skirt around the issue of population growth, but it is the main driver of rising carbon dioxide levels and many other environmental changes on a planetary scale.
Governments fail to imagine how worst-case scenarios can come about – much less plan for them. But there are things we can do.
Our prevailing relationship with nature is based on framing the living world as a set of natural resources. This utility-based worldview perpetuates the drivers of ongoing biodiversity loss.
Democracy is not perfect. Sometimes it produces policies that are undemocratic and unjust. In those cases, breaking the law may be justified.
Polar regions may be becoming more profitable, but these “benefits” come with far more severe costs.
It’s unlikely that all species of bees will go extinct anytime soon – but current losses could still have a terrible impact on food supplies and ecosystems.
Given Africa’s projected population growth, management of its environment must be a global priority
Scrapping the idea of a species is an extreme idea – but perhaps a good one.
As climatic conditions change, plants’ odours are altered, with direct consequences for pollination, especially by bees.
The global focus on plastic pollution isn’t a distraction from other planetary issues.
New research has found that different types of habitat loss can change the stability of whole plant and animal communities.
The impact of deforestation for oil palm plantations is well known – and now research has found the replanting process could be additional harm to biodiversity.
Top contributors
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Matthew Flinders Professor of Global Ecology and Models Theme Leader for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Flinders University
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Jaana Dielenberg is a Friend of The Conversation.
University Fellow in Biodiversity, Charles Darwin University
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Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University
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Adjunct professor, Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Toronto
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Professor in Sustainability and Urban Planning, Leader, Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group (ICON Science), RMIT University
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Professor in Conservation Science, School of Ecosystem and Forest Science, The University of Melbourne
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Professor of Conservation Biology, Charles Darwin University
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Professor, Charles Darwin University
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Research Director CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, CSIRO
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Associate Professor, Singapore Management University
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Honorary Research Fellow, University of Sydney
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Professor in Terrestrial Ecology, Deakin University
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Senior Lecturer, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, The University of Melbourne
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Social Scientist, University of Waikato
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Associate Professor, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University
